Review: The Underground Youth ‘Décollage’
With a remarkable discography spanning twelve captivating albums, culminating in their latest masterpiece Décollage, The Underground Youth have solidified their status as a musical force to be reckoned with. This creative and musically eclectic Berlin-based band, guided by the visionary genius of Blackpool native Craig Dyer, fearlessly defies the constraints of genres, instead forging their own unique path characterised by a mesmerising interplay of light and shadow.
Each sonic journey they embark upon sees them venturing into strange and veiled territories, deftly weaving an eclectic tapestry of influences while boldly experimenting with groundbreaking ideas. The result is a collection of songs that feel both daringly innovative and utterly timeless. At the heart of The Underground Youth‘s captivating sound lie Dyer‘s poetic lyrics and emotive vocals, evoking comparisons to luminaries such as Nick Cave, Hugo Race, and Michael Gira. His heartfelt delivery is beautifully complemented by rich, atmospheric instrumentation that ebbs and flows like the tides, creating immersive soundscapes that envelop the listener.
Tracing the band’s evolution from the raw, lo-fi aesthetic of their early works to the polished and expansive production of their more recent offerings, one thing remains constant: an unwavering dedication to authentic self-expression and relentless artistic growth. Whether plumbing the depths of melancholy or soaring to euphoric heights, The Underground Youth imbue every note with an urgency and passion that strikes a chord deep within the souls of those seeking solace and escape from a reality that feels all too alien.
In their music, listeners find a gentle embrace, a comforting reminder that they are not alone in their struggles and that beauty can be found even in the darkest of places. Their new album Décollage is a mesmerising musical journey that encapsulates the band’s artistic evolution, from their humble beginnings to their current status as sonic trailblazers.
a sonic collage that encapsulates the band’s past, present and future…
As Dyer himself describes it, the album serves as a diary summary, a nostalgic yet forward-thinking chronicle of their musical odyssey. Within its meticulously crafted tracks, one can discern the echoes of their early ‘American’ acid folk ballads, epitomised by the hauntingly beautiful From The Ashes Of Our Age. The album seamlessly transitions into the post-punk-influenced sounds reminiscent of their 2013 album The Perfect Enemy For God, showcasing the band’s ability to effortlessly shift between genres and styles. The cinematic surrealism that defined their 2015 experimental opus A Lo-fi Cinematic Landscape is also palpable, adding an ethereal dimension to the album’s already rich tapestry of sounds.
Throughout Décollage, the band masterfully weaves together dark, atmospheric soundscapes, as evidenced in the captivating tracks One Of The Dreamers and I Was There. These songs, with their haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, are a testament to the band’s uncanny ability to craft deeply moving stories that resonate with listeners on a profound level.
Despite its minimalistic musical approach, Décollage possesses an immense emotional depth, inviting the listener to embark on a journey into the innermost recesses of the author’s psyche – a realm where darkness and torment coexist with an unwavering belief in something greater. In essence, the album is a triumph of artistic expression, a sonic collage that encapsulates the band’s past, present and future, while reminding us of the transformative power of music to touch the soul and ignite the imagination.
As they continue to carve out their unique path in the indie music scene, each new offering from The Underground Youth serves as a testament to their enduring creativity and musical status in today’s contemporary music.
Label: Fuzz Club Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
